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‘Local police officers discriminated against’ – Attorney Richard G. Rowe

- said officers recruited from UK given better salaries
An attorney at law practicing in the Virgin Islands Richard G. Rowe has come out strongly against what he calls the glaring disparity, which sees police officers recruited from the United Kingdom being paid much higher than those from the territory or other places in the Caribbean. Photo: Facebook
Rowe was a guest on Straight Talk, a monthly talk show hosted by Donald E. De Castro on Wednesday January 13, 2016 on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 pm. Photo: VINO/File
Rowe was a guest on Straight Talk, a monthly talk show hosted by Donald E. De Castro on Wednesday January 13, 2016 on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 pm. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – An attorney at law practicing in the Virgin Islands, Richard G. Rowe has come out strongly against what he calls the glaring disparity, which sees police officers recruited from the United Kingdom being paid much higher than those from the territory or other places in the Caribbean.

Rowe was a guest on Straight Talk, a monthly talk show hosted by Donald E. De Castro on Wednesday January 13, 2016 on ZBVI 780 AM between the hours of 8:00 and 9:00 pm.

Rowe said he has represented the Police Benevolent Association in the past and know that their efforts to form linkages with other similar associations in the Caribbean were blocked.

“I know for example that under the past Commissioner David Morris they had made efforts to have themselves affiliated with other police unions in the Caribbean but that request was denied,” he alleged.

He said the rank and file police officers from the Virgin Islands are being discriminated against as compared to police officers who have come on contract from the United Kingdom who are paid at much higher rates.

“Sergeants here are being paid less than Sergeants who come on contract,” he said, pointing to the need to have the Association linked with others from around the region.

Host of the show de Castro said if all of the Associations and other similar bodies in the territory would all get together then everyone would be united and be a stronger force to reckon with.

“Because then the government couldn’t take advantage of us,” de Castro said.

He added that for those concerned they may lose their jobs because they are on work permit, they must realise that once the probation period is over then it becomes difficult for an employer to arbitrarily fire that person.

Rowe pointed out that persons are short-changed because of not having knowledge of their rights under the Labour Code.

“If you do not have persons committed to protecting your interest and advocating for your interest at a cost you can afford, it would be far more inexpensive and more advantageous,” said Rowe.

Meanwhile, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has been without a Commissioner of Police following the departure of UK national David Morris in August 2015. Governor John S. Duncan OBE has since said he hopes to have a new commissioner in the next few months and that he would not be from the United Kingdom. He said the new Commissioner's nationality would be disclosed at a later time.

12 Responses to “‘Local police officers discriminated against’ – Attorney Richard G. Rowe”

  • HMPH (aka SoCal Comantatar) (15/01/2016, 08:18) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    donald want dem in him hopless union
    • @ Hmph (aka socal comantatar) (15/01/2016, 10:31) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      At least that hopeless union will fight for them
      • hello (15/01/2016, 11:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Hmph (aka socal comantatar) - aka Donald me thinks

        How has the union ever fought anything other than Donald complaining a bit? Nobody takes it seriously.
  • wow (15/01/2016, 08:33) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    And the waste of time governor will not do anything about this blantant racism
  • wize up (15/01/2016, 09:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    whats new; the people elected know about these matters and they do nothing....
  • yea (15/01/2016, 09:55) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    He is right about that. Once you white and comes from that old slave master’s place, the treatment is far superior. Black people dont look out or dont seems to have the same interest for their own here for all sorts of bad-minded reasons. Just an old trend
  • Good life cops (15/01/2016, 10:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Police officers here are living like well paid kings and queen that don't do much or have much to do..in comparism to cops around the caribbean and latin America who works their butts off and life is on the line daily. Stop complaining..
  • wize up (15/01/2016, 11:00) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    just a point of fact: the local bands can not collect but the imported bands are paid...and this kind of injustice been going on for so many years and it is public knowledge
  • i from here (15/01/2016, 11:59) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    The ndp discrinate against locals
  • Fools (15/01/2016, 13:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They should have known this years ago they are just reaping what they sow.
  • facts (15/01/2016, 19:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well they retired all the locals and renting cars for their operations from a white dealer talk about economic discrimination also


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